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Notarchus indicus
Schweigger, 1820
 
Notarchus indicus
Maximum size:  about 38 mm.

Identification:  This sea hare has fine papillae, some with white tips. The prominence of the papillae may increase with age and vary with the amount of water in the mantle cavity. The body is translucent cream to red-brown with darker spots. The parapodia are fused except for an anterior aperture.

Natural history:  Notarchus indicus is a moderately common species found in rocky habitats and Halimeda kanaloana beds at depths of < 1 to 110 m (< 3 to 328 ft). When disturbed, it swims backward via "jet propulsion" by forcefully expelling water from its mantle cavity through the anterior aperture. A 25 mm animal laid a tangled, orange-brown egg string that hatched in about eight days in the laboratory.

Distribution:  Big Island, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Midway and Kure: widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific.

Taxonomic notes:  It was first recorded in Hawaii from off Hale'iwa, Oahu by Terry Gosliner & Gary Williams in Oct. 1973 (dredged).

Photo:  CP: about 25 mm: found by PF; Airport Beach, Maui; March 22, 2003.

Observations and comments:

Note 1:  ( )
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